London has been battered by 50mph winds that have felled trees and caused travel chaos. Powerful gusts swept across the capital as the Met Office issued a yellow "be aware" weather alert for most of the country.

At first glance, this photograph taken at Baker Street station could have been from the 19th century — until you spot the LED train indicator, the digital clock and the CCTV cameras.

The first steam train to carry Tube passengers for more than 100 years eased along the track from Earl’s Court to Moorgate in the early hours of Sunday in a test run for London Underground’s 150th anniversary celebrations next year.

Carrying railwaymen, VIPs and members of the press, the restored Met locomotive No 1 hauled just one first-class Metropolitan 353 carriage.

Peter Hendy, Commissioner of Transport for London, was among those aboard. “This is the advantage of having your own railway — you don’t have to ask permission,” he joked.

He likened the train to a “chicken coop in a farmyard” before a painstaking restoration brought it back to its former glory. The train was built in 1892, with a teak frame, crimson upholstered seats, large windows, leather panels and gas light fittings.

The recreation followed some of the route of the world’s first underground journey, from Paddington to Farringdon, on January 9, 1863.

The steam service will run again early next year as part of the anniversary celebrations.